Hair curler



lSept. 26, 1939. .E11-r, BARNES 2,173,872

HAIR CURLER Filed Sept. 9. 1938 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to hair curlers and has for an object the provision of a method and device whereby curls may be readily set in the hair.

One object of this invention is to provide a hair curler and a method for curling the hair which may be used by the individual or by skilled opel'- ators in hair dressing shops. Devices for pro- .ducing curls such as pin curls or roll curls that have been described in the prior art have been somewhat cumbersome and have been constructed in such a manner that undesirable loose or frizzed ends appear in the curl after it has been formed. This frizzed end appearance results because the process of winding the curls as described in the prior art devices has consisted in grasping the locks or strands of the hair at the top end and vrolling the lock toward the scalp. The curl is (consequently not imparted to the tip end portion of the lock Where it is most desired since it has been necessary to grasp the end by a suitable clamping means in order to hold the lock in place during rolling.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ,method and apparatus whereby a smooth, neat curl may be formed in the hair by inexperienced hands.

Referringk now to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a prole view of a head of hair which contains pin curls formed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, and also indicates the manner in which a lock of hair may 'be wound on .a device prepared in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one form of the ltion;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the curler with the cover on;

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 in which the cover has been thrown back;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5' of Fig. 3 showing wound hair compressed inside of the curler;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a modified curler constructed in accordance with onerem- .bcdiment of this invention;

7 is a plan view of Fig. 6 showing the hair clamped into place;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a modiiied form of the hair curler shown in Figs. 2 to 5 with the cover thrown back; and

Fig. 9 isa sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 8 with the cover on.

In accordance with this invention it has been found desirable to form curls from strands of hair hair curler formed in accordance with this invenby winding the lock in the form of a helix or a spiral cone outwardly from the base of the scalp. The lock may be wound on any suitable formwhich will depend somewhat on the size and shape of the curl desired. The lock is secured to the form adjacent the scalp and the free end is not attached to any clamping device. The Wound lock or strand may then be clamped into position .until the hair becomes set, after which the clamping or securing means may be removed. Thus the end of the lock contained in the resulting curl will not have a frizzed edge due to the clamping means which may be engaged therewith.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a method for producing pin curls has been discovered which comprises winding a strand of hair upon a suitable base in the form of a helix or cone-shaped spiral, compressing the resulting mass of convolutely Woundhair, and-permitting the same to set in the compressed condition. The lock may be wound on a cone-shaped-base in spiral form, the base portion of the lock being wound first with that portion of the strand or lockadjau cent the scalp and wound outwardly to the top of the cone. 'I'he wound lock may theibe compressed down the sides of the cone Aandthen permitted to set in this position. Thefre'sultin'g pin curl has a neat, curled tip end, saidtip end blending into the contour of the curl, without presenting a frizzy appearance. e

In accordance with one embodiment'of this invention, a device for producing pin curls by the general method described above is shown in Figs. `2 to 5, and comprises a base plate I0 which contains a V-shaped slot I I and may have a plurality of holes or vents I2. A split cone I3 extends from the center portion of the base plate I 0. The cone is provided with a slit I4 which extends transversely through the cone portion and is adapted to engage a strand of hair. Holes I5 may be provided in the cone for purposes of ventilation. A cover I6 is provided which may be engaged with the base plate I0 by a suitable hinge I1 and snapped thereon by the cooperative action of a resilient side I8 of the cover I6, beads I9 attached thereto, and a recessed portion in the portion of the base plate I0 opposite the hinge I1. The hinge I'I may be omitted if desired and the cover may be attached all around by suitable spring clips.

The cover I6 is so constructed and is of such a height that .a substantial portion of the cone I3 v extends above the top of the cover I6 when the cover is in place over the base plate IIl. A suitable elongated hole 2| is positioned in the cover I6 in order to permit the cover to close over the cone portion. Ventilation holes 22 may also be provided in the cover I6.

In forming a curl similar to those indicated in Fig. l by means of the device shown in Figs. 2 to 5, reference will now be had more speciilcally to Fig. 1. A lock or strand of hair 23 of the desired size may be selected from any portion of the scalp. 'I'he base plate may be held rmly against the scalp adjacent the base o! the lock 23 which was selected. The cover I6 is removed or thrown back and the base portion of the lock is inserted into the V-shaped notch II cut into the base plate I0. The lock 23 is then pushed down in the slit I4 formed by the split cone and is thereafter wound` around the cone in either direction in a spiral form. The strand 23 is wound upwardly on the cone, the free end por- -tions of the lock being wound around the upper portion of the cone. It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the winding of the lock 23 may be carried out by one hand while the otherhand may be engaged in holding the device next to the head. After the lock has been completely wound around the cone the cover I6 may be placed over the top of the wound lock of hair. The hair is then compressed down the sides of the cone and the cover is secured over the baseplate I by means of the resilient side portions I8, the beaded por tion I 9 attached thereto, and the recessed portion 20 positioned on the periphery of the base I0 opposite the hinge I1. 'I'he curler is thus firmly attached to the head by the base portion of the lock of hair which is inserted therein. It is small and compact and is preferably constructed of some light material such as aluminum, Bakelite, or other suitable substance.'

In preparing the type oi pin curl that has been described above, it is usually desirable to moisten the hair previous to setting in the curler in order that a more permanent set may be obtained, consequently holes I2, I and 22 have been provided in -the base, cone and cover respectively, to permit a rapid evaporation of the moisture contained therein.

After the hair has set in the curl form, the device may be readily removed by merely removing the cover and slipping the curl from the end of the cone I3. -A pin curl results which is indicated in Fig. l `and has a form which may be likened somewhat to a cone shaped spiral that has been compressed. It is neat in appearance, and does not have the frizziness at the ends which is produced by devices-which grasp the lock at the free end previous to the winding of the coil.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modification of the device of this invention which is suitable for making rolled curls. 'Ihis modiiication comprises a base plate 24 having a plurality of projections 25 to which may be pivotally secured a plurality of upwardly extending fingers 26. The ilngers may be pivotally secured to the projections in such a fashion that they swing outwardly toward the periphery of the base plate 24. Means is provided for securing the outer ends of the fingers to the outer edge portion of the base plate which may comprise resilient clips 21 secured to the outer edge of the base plate 24, and inwardly turned ilanges 28 adapted to be engaged therewith when the ilnger is placed in the horizontal position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 6. Extensions 29 are provided at the base end of the fingers 26 which may be positioned to limit the amount of movement of the extended ends of the iingers 26 toward the center line of the base plate 24. A suitable notch 30 may be positioned in the base plate 24 in order to accommodate the lock of hair in the same manner as has been described above with the device for producing pin curls. A recessed portion 3| may also be provided in the base in order to accommodate the hair pressed against the plate when the ngers are snapped into a horizontal position.

In order to form a roll curl by the device shown in this modification, the base plate is positioned adjacent the scalp, a lock of hair inserted into the V slot 30 in the manner previously described, and the hair is then wound around the outside of the fingers 26, as is indicated in Fig. 6. After the winding has been completed the free end oi the lock is located at the upper portions of the fingers 26. In order to compress the hair into position, the fingers 26 are closed down against the base plate 24 and snapped into position by the resilient clips 21. The hair is consequently compressed into the recessed portions 3| of the base plate 24 as is indicated in Fig. '1. After the hair has set in the device, the fingers 26 may then be snapped back away from the plate 24 and the curl is freely disengaged from the device by merely sliding it oil.

It will also be seen that in accordance with this modification a so-called roll curl may be produced which will have a uniformly curled tip which has not been clamped during the formation and setting.

A modified form of the device shown in Figs. 2 to 5 is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In this embodiment the cone member I3 is formed in two pieces, the upper one of which telescopes into the lower. The lock or strand of hair 23 may be wound around the extended portions in the manner previously described. The hair may then be compressed down over the lower segment 33 with the lingers. 'Ihe upper segment 32l may be telescoped into the lower segment 33 either by pressure of the lingers or the top of the cover I6 when the latter is placed over the hair 23 and base Ill. The upper segment may be provided with a suitable hook or gripping means 34 which may be used to pull the cone into the extended position as shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment 1t is not necessary to provide the hole 2I in the cover I6 through which the cone may extend since the cone telescopes and is entirely encased by the cover. The vent holes 22 may be provided, however, and, if desired, a small hole 35 may be positioned so that the gripping means 34 may extend therethrough when the cover is on, as shown in Fig. 9.

While several particular embodiments of this invention are shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto since many modiiications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, to cover any such modications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention as deiined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method for curling hair which comprises convolutely winding a lock of hair outwardly from the scalp in the form of a cone-shaped helix, securing the lock in the convolutely wound position for a period of time sufficient for the hair to become substantially set, and releasing said wound lock whereby a curl is produced.

2. A method for curling hair which comprises spirally winding a lock of hair outwardly from the scalp inthe form of a cone-shaped helix, the free end of said lock being wound toward the apex of said cone-shaped helix adjacent the apex,.

securing the lock in the wound position for a period of time suilcient for the hair to become substantially set, and releasing -said wound lock whereby a curl is produced.

3. A method for curling hair which comprises winding a lock of hair in a substantially coneshaped helical form, compressing said helix of hair in the direction transverse to the windings thereof, securing said wound lock in the compressed condition for a period of time suilicient for the hair to become substantially set, and releasing said wound lock whereby a curl is produced. I

4. A method for curling hair which comprises winding a lock of hair in a spiral, cone-shaped for-xn, compressing said spiralw'in the direction transverse to the windings thereof, securing said wound lock in the compressed condition for a period of time suiicient for the hair to become substantially set, and releasing said wound lock whereby a curl is produced.

5. A method for curling hair which comprises securing the base portion of a lock of hair, winding said lock in the form of a cone-shaped helix from the base, the free end of said lock being positioned adjacent the upper portion of said formed helix, compressing the resulting mass of hair transversely to the direction of the windings whereby a substantially spirally wound mass of hair is produced, securing the hair in the compressed condition for a period of time suiiicient for the hair to become substantially set, and releasing said compressed lockv whereby a curl is produced.

6. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a means extending from said base plate upon which a lock of hair is capable of being wound, and a securing means adapted to hold said lock in position after winding, said base plate having a slot extending inwardly from the periphery thereof adapted to engage said lock.

'7. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a split cone extending from said base plate upon which a lock of hair is capable of being wound, and a securing means adapted to hold said lock in position after Winding, said base plate having a slot adapted to engage said lock and said cone having a slit adaptedv to engage said lock.

8. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a split cone extending from said base plate upon which a. lock of hair is capable of being wound, and a cover means removably engaged with said base plate, said base plate having a V-shaped slot in the periphery thereof adapted to engage said lock, said cone having a slit extending longitudinally thereof adapted to engage said lock and said cover adapted to hold said lock in place when engaged with said base plate.

9. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a cone extending from said base plate upon which a lock o! hair is capable of being wound, and a cover means removably engaged with said base plate. said base plate having a V-shaped slot in the periphery thereof adapted to engage said look, said cone being divided into a plurality of transverse sections in telescopic engagement with each other.

10. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a plurality of ngers in spaced relationship extending from the central portion of said plate, said fingers being pivotally mounted on said base plate and capable of swinging outwardly toward the periphery oi' said base plate, and means for engaging the outer ends of said iingers with the base plate-when said fingers are swung in the outward direction.

1l. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a plurality of fingers in spaced relationship extending from the central portion of said plate, said fingers being pivotally mounted on said base plate and capable of swinging outwardly toward the periphery of said base plate, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said :lingers toward each other, and means for engaging the outer ends of said fingers with the base plate when said lingers are swung in the outward direction.

12. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a cone extending from said base plate upon which a lock of hair is capable of being wound, and a cover means removably engaged with said base plate, said base plate having a slot in the peripheral edge thereof adapted to engage said lock, said cover means cooperating with said base plate and said cone whereby said wound lock of hair is compressed when the cover is engaged with said base plate.

13. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a plurality of ngers in spaced relationship extending from the central portion of said plate, said fingers being pivotally mounted on said base plate and capable of swinging outwardly toward the periphery of said base plate, and means for engaging the outer ends of said lingers with the base plate when said fingers are swung in the outward direction, said base plate having a slot positioned in theperipheral edge thereof adapted to engage a lock. oi' hair.

14. A hair curler of the character described having a base plate, a means extending from said base plate upon which a lock of hair is capable of being wound, and a means for compressing said wound lock against said base plate, said base plate having a slot extending inwardly from the periphery adapted to engage said lock.

ETHEL T. BARNES.

.\ the said. Letters Patent should Aberea. with this 'correction cERTIFIcATE oF CORRECTION; Patent No. 2,175872 September 26, 1959.

- ETHEL T. BARNES.

It, is hereby certified that error appears 1n the printed lspecificxsgtion of the above numbered patent, requiring ,correction as follows:

Page 5, first column; linej, claim 2, strike out the words "adjacent the ap exf'; and that therein that theanme may conform Itf.) the record of the cese in the'Patent Office. signed and sealed this 7th day of November,-A. D. 1959.

Henry 'van Andale, (Seal) I Acting Commissioner-of Patents. 

